The TAO of Programming

"Let the programmer be many and the managers few -- then
all will be productive."
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6.1

When managers hold endless meetings, the programmers
write games. When accountants talk of quarterly profits, the
development budget is about to be cut. When senior scientists talk
blue sky, the clouds are about to roll in.

Truly, this is not the Tao of Programming.

When managers make commitments, game programs are
ignored. When accountants make long-range plans, harmony and order
are about to be restored. When senior scientists address the
problems at hand, the problems will soon be solved.

Truly, this is the Tao of Programming.

6.2

Why are programmers non-productive? Because their
time is wasted in meetings.

Why are programmers rebellious? Because the
management interferes too much.

Why are the programmers resigning one by one?
Because they are burnt out.

Having worked for poor management, they no longer
value their jobs.

6.3

A manager was about to be fired, but a programmer who
worked for him invented a new program that became popular and sold
well. As a result, the manager retained his job.

The manager tried to give the programmer a bonus, but
the programmer refused it, saying, "I wrote the program because I
thought it was an interesting concept, and thus I expect no
reward."

The manager upon hearing this remarked, "This
programmer, though he holds a position of small esteem, understands
well the proper duty of an employee. Lets promote him to the
exalted position of management consultant!"

But when told this, the programmer once more refused,
saying, "I exist so that I can program. If I were promoted, I
would do nothing but waste everyone's time. Can I go now? I have
a program that I'm working on."

6.4

A manager went to his programmers and told them, "As
regards to your work hours: you are going to have to come in at
nine in the morning and leave at five in the afternoon." At this,
all of them became angry and several resigned on the spot."

So the manager said, "All right, in that case you may
set your own working hours, as long as you finish your projects on
schedule." The programmers, now satisfied, began to come in at noon
and work to the wee hours of the morning.